Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-12-14
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
CONTINUED from fourth paoe.l

L's''''esSSSJ WV y NsS' Wv <>NSSsJ
Piled to the public schools, the number of
schools opened and teachers employed, and
The number of pupils enrolled and the aver
age attendance are all greater than any year
since the system was inaugurated. Informa-
ton and detail and special recommendation
will be contained in the forthcoming annual
report of the Superintendent of Public In
struction. The importance of such further
judicious and friendly legislation as will not
Gully maintain but also increase the efficiency
and usefulness of the system, earnestly
itself to the attention of the
General Assembly.
Reports from State institutions for techni-
cal and higher education exhibit an encour-
aging degree Of prosperity. The financial
condition of some of them has undergone
decided improvement, while the patronage
of them has been well sustained, and in
nearly every instance has materially in
creased. The present scholastic year is
marked by decided increase in the num-
Der of matriculates in almost all of these
institutions, while in some this increase is
exceptionally large. In addition to the
facilities afforded by the State for the ed
ucation of her people, there are a number
of excellent schools and colleges conducted
by private individuals and by the different
churches. While these have DO connection
with the State government, they are to be
recognized as among the effective educa-
tional forces of the Commonwealth. 1t is a
matter of special qualification that an I'M
usual degree ofprosperity is attending them
during the current year The increase in
the number of scholars at schools of this
class is proof of the growing prosperity OF
those who send them there.
As an evidences of the prosperous condi-
tion of our educational institutions, it may
be mentioned that on the 1st of December,
1886. there were 287 students registered at
the University Of Virginia. On the same
date this year there were registered 361.-
At the Virginia Military Institute on the
1st of December, 1886, there were 1876 ca.
diets. On the same date this year there
were 1876 cadets. At the Virginia Agricul
tural and Mechanical College on the lst Of
December, 1885, there were 81 students
At the corresponding date this year there
were 1876.
The State Female Normal School at Farm
vile is in its management, efficiency and re-
suits highly satisfactory. There are in the
School of PRACTICE and observation and Nor
NAL School proper 215 student.
At the Virginia Normal and Collegiate
Institute December 1, 1886, there were 16s
academic students. On December 1, 1887,
the number of academic students was 1877
These institutions all deserve and should
receive the hearty support of the represen
tatives of the people. Their work is closely
woven with our entire educational gystem.
The higher round of the educational ladder
may not be reached by all classes, but is
within reach of all who climb boldly and
successfully the lower rounds of the same
ladder.
Indeed, Mr.. Jefferson, the founder of oul
great University. expressed this view when
he said: ssWe should always keep gu eve
steadily on the whole system of education
while the great German publicist, DR.. Lie
Der, represented the Same idea when lie
tells US THAT ''ths university and THO COM
mon schools are tho two bqttresses of the
arch of public education" Il is essential
to the prosperity of both that each should
be kept strong, sound and firm.
In reference to the public schools would
recommend that by further legislation the
General Assembly endeasor to improve the
system in sparsely settled districts in the
different counties. In hese distriets the
facilities for public achool education ara sus
ceptible ofimprovement. would also rec
ommend that some legislative action be
taken viii b would authorize the beginning
ofelemen.ary industrial education or manual
training in the common and graded schools.
Great technical schools with large endow.
ments are not within the reach of all, but
by modelate expenditure BY the LOCAL au.
thorities, elementary Industrial teaching
can be introduced effectively in large mum
Der of schools. consider this matter oil
great importance for the future as bringing
about a more rapid development of the pro-
ducts Of our State and making useful mem
bers in their respective communities Of her
citizens. The Miller Manual Labor School,
Of Albemarle county, would be able to fur.
nish TEACHERS in this line for the white class
es, while the Hampton Normal and Indus
trial Institute could furnish teachers for the
eolored classes. The splendid work the two
institutions have named are doing within
the limits of the Commonwealth cannot b.
overestimated, and the accomplished suptr
intendents could doubtless give valuable
suggestions as to the feasibility of introduc
ing manual and industrial training into oul
public-school system. The rapid develop
ment of tho industrial interest of Virginia
points directly to the Importance of giving
special attention to these subjects.
The Virginia Military Institute is doing
its accustomed good work in annually re.
turning to us educated men fully equipped
for civil or military work, ready and pre-
pared for either. The drawing department
of the Institute should be extended to cover
the changes constantly going on in the De
partraept of Applied Sciences, and an ap
preparation should hs made which wouc
enable the Institute to embrace the applica
ton of photography, now so necessary il
engineering and mining service.
The Agricultural and Mechanical College
at Black burg is in fiourishing condition
with every prospect of large increase in its
usefulness. In order that it may continue
in its prosperous course and be productive
OF great bsnetlt to our State, 1t should re-
ceive liberal encouragement from the Legis
lature. The State has appropriated moth
ing for this institution since 1878. The bar
rack room is only capable of containing
eighty -four men, while the State is pledged
to furnish quarters for 200, SO that rooms fol
quarters have to be reated outside, a system
prejudicial 10 good order and military dis
cipline. A proper building for machine
shop is also necessary. The present small
wooden building is entirely inadequate tc
the necessities Of this great branch of in
struetion, which is made speciality at this
college l append to this report letter
from the president of the college in reference
to the details of the recommendations here
make.
The Virginia Normal aud Collegiate In.
stitute is also il a good condition. The at
tendance of teachers at the summer session
of 1887 was ISL, and of that number 1926
were granted certificates. In 1886 there
we're eight graduates from the Normal de
partment; at the commencement Of this yeal
there were IS, all Of whom are now engaged
in teaching colored schools for the State
The work of this Institute has been some
what INSTRUCTED by the want ofaccommoda
tons. The additional buildiug, however
is nearing completion, and when finished
the Institute will, it is reported, have ac-
commentators for at least 700 students, -
From personal inspection of the Institute
l believe it is fulfilling its mission, aud car
rying out the objects for which it was es-
tablished.
EXTRAORDINARILY INSTITUTIONS.
An examination of the interesting reports
of the Board of Directors and the Superin
tepdents of the four Insane Asyiums and
the Institution for the education of the
Deaf, Dumb and Blind will show that the
fr,,sts ranoSpd tharaiu h "a. baan faith fin II y